Switchfoot: A Band That Truly Rocks

Switchfoot. Who are they? If you haven't heard of them before today then you're missing something. If you have, you're one of the lucky ones. The San Diego based rock band, together since the mid-90s, is probably the most meaningful of any band or artist I know today. Lead singer Jon Foreman doesn't just talk about the world and it's issues; he writes about them. And he shares them with the world. His lyrics convey a sentiment on social, economic or political issues and even go so far as to touch on the "dreaded" subject of religion. In a world where people concentrate on being politically correct by not mentioning their religious views or the name of their creator, Switchfoot isn't afraid to speak it's mind in it's heartfelt songs filled with beautiful melodies and heavy guitar cords. These guys are about the meaning of life and sharing their experiences with humanity through their music, not about how many gold records they can put on their wall. Refreshing in a day where music is terribly mundane and artists have to put on a visual show in order to sell a performance. It seems like most acts are out to fill their bank account by selling meaningless music to the fans, the people that keep their careers alive. When did we learn the meaning of music? If you think you don't know Switchfoot's music, I can almost guarantee you do. I was introduced to Switchfoot in 2004 by the keyboardist (Antonio) for Puerto Rican rocker Ignacio Peña who I was promoting in Los Angeles. We took a trip to Target in West Hollywood for a few things he needed and, as a gift to me for taking him, Antonio bought me the latest release by the band: "The Beautiful Letdown." The music sounded familiar but I still didn't think I'd heard them before. What I would soon discover is that many of the band's songs had been used in nationally televised shows such as "Charmed," "One Tree Hill" and "Smallville" but the most recognized song that Antonio would later play for me on his iPod was "Only Hope" from the album "New Way to Be Human." Hearing the name didn't necessarily strike me as familiar but as soon as I heard the first note, I knew exactly who the band was. "Only Hope" was featured in the teenage drama "A Walk to Remember" starring Mandy Moore. The movie is about a young girl, Jamie Sullivan, an outcast in high school who is being ostracized for her religious beliefs and her lack of interest in the typical teenage behaviors that the kids participate in. She eventually falls in love with Landon Carter, the instigator in the group that harasses Jamie but she is keeping a dark secret from him. When the secret finally comes out, Landon's world changes completely and so does his attitude about life. It's a beautiful story and the perfect backdrop for "Only Hope" and several other Switchfoot songs which can be found on the film's soundtrack. I was lucky enough to see Switchfoot live a few years ago when Antonio came out to LA from Puerto Rico to visit. We took a drive down the coast to Orange County to meet a friend for dinner. We then made our way to the Bren Events Center at UC Irvine where Switchfoot was giving a nearly sold-out performance. Luckily, we were able to get three tickets at the last minute and check out the show. I don't usually buy the "goods" at a show but I felt particularly supportive of this band so before the show started I forked out the $20 (that's cheap for a baby t) to get myself a cool Switchfoot t-shirt. When the lights finally went down, the stage was lit up with lights and the band was rocking. The performance was inspiring and we left with a feeling of hope for the future, which is the underlying theme in the band's music. Way to go, Switchfoot! What inspired me to blog about Switchfoot was a twitter post left by the band yesterday at about 6pm. They are currently touring in California and were preparing for a show in Visalia. The post read, "For twitter friends in the valley, we just put 2 tix for tonight's sold-out show under the name Chin at willcall. First come, first serve!" What band has ever done something so generous for a fan? I'm sure there have been many acts of kindness by an artist to be shared with the world but Switchfoot inspires me everyday with the things they do. Not only do they talk and sing about hope, faith and love (ha ha, that's my tattoo in Kanji on my lower back), but they back up their words with actions. This is a band deserving of your attention... and of your money. Check 'em out! http://www.switchfoot.com/ http://www.youtube.com/switchfootTV

the twitter vortex

Just wanted to let you all know that I officially got sucked into the twitter vortex by one Mr. Ignacio Peña. I haven't quite gotten the hang of it yet or maybe it's just that I have nothing to report except that I'm sitting at my computer trying to figure out the whole twitter concept. But I'm there for the taking so if you want to join me my ID is muzikgirl11 or go to http://twitter.com/muzikgirl11. I'll be tweeting you!

Finding A Job Is A Full-time Job

Since relocating back to my hometown I've been on the never-ending search for employment. It's been a daily process of logging onto the computer, searching endless websites for job postings, e-mailing or submitting my resume and filling out online job applications. Sounds like tons of fun, right? Wrong!

After months of unemployment, the days all bleed into one another. I look forward to the weekends just like the working folk simply because that's my small break away from my full time job of looking for a JOB.

Yesterday when I was using CareerBuilder.com, I viewed an ad from Dish Network that I thought looked interesting. I clicked the "Apply Now" button and was directed away from CareerBuilder and to the company's career page. There I was forced to search for the open position all over again, filling out my requirements such as position or job location. After more than a few minutes to find the position I wanted to apply for, I was then forced to "fill out" a six page application. I was encouraged to attach my resume but instructed not to type 'See Resume' on the application. What kind of crap is that?

What's the point of having a resume if you have to type the information again for each company you are applying for? What's worse is when you are interested in applying for more than one job at a company as I sometimes am. Last week I applied for two different positions at LiveNation only to again be forced (I use the word forced because these companies don't give the applicant a choice) to fill out two separate applications.

But back to my Dish Network experience. After creating a profile and having to choose yet another user name and password (they all have different rules - pick a password with eight non-repetitive characters, with one numeral, one capital letter and here's my middle finger to boot) I filled out the application thoroughly. Upon hitting the "Submit" button it returned a giant red error message stating that there was information missing. I scanned the page multiple times and nowhere was there any info missing. By now I'm furious. WTF? I decided to close out the entire page and start from scratch so I reopened Internet Explorer and punched in the address. There was no place to log into my profile so I had to search all over again for the position. This is too much work! I found the one I was looking for and again clicked "Apply" at which point I was able to log in again so I typed my user name and password and it came back with the error "incorrect user name or password." Here we go again! I clicked on the "Reset Password" link and received the message, "The password cannot be reset for this account." I was pissed! I sent a message to tech support but apparently they need to hire people in that department because I'm still awaiting a response. Or maybe they're in India and the e-mail is still lingering in cyberspace somewhere. Maybe it caught swine flu and just didn't have the energy to get to India. :) 

That's just one example of how tedious a task it is searching for a job in 2009. The actions one takes are so repetitive:

1. Search web sites.

2. Find job interested in.

3. Apply for said job by e-mailing resume and cover letter or filling out online application.

4. Deal with whatever technical difficulties arise.

5. Start all over.

A few times I've been so annoyed at the process that I've been the culprit of screwing up my own submissions. The fact that it's so time-consuming to apply for one job only allows you to apply for a minimum of 10 jobs per day (that's if you can even find 10 to apply for!). My cover letter says I'm detail-oriented, but by application/resume submission #10 I'm worn down and weary. I've actually e-mailed a cover letter which states "My resume is attached for your review" and forgotten to attach the resume. Somehow I don't think I'll be hired for that position. Ahh, the joys of looking for a job. When will this end? I'm ready to rock and roll at work again!

Marcos Hernandez Update

I haven't written much on the blog of late because I've been concentrating on finding a job and also writing the next post which entails quite a bit of memory-jogging. Hopefully that will be up soon. As for now, I have a quick update on Marcos.

Today I received my 1st letter from him since he's been away at basic training. He appears positive and happy and is adjusting well. He just got a promotion within his platoon and is now halfway through training. He asked me to drive out for his graduation. I'd really love to be there but as of right now, without a job in clear site, I can't make that decision. I miss his voice and pray for him everyday that he stay safe and not be sent off somewhere far from home. That's the latest for now. Check back soon for more updates! P

What is a friend?

Is it someone who laughs with you when all you can do is laugh at yourself?  Is a friend someone who loves you unconditionally?  Is it someone who has been there since the beginning?  Does a friend remember your birthday or some other major event in your life?  Does he/she know your favorite color or food?  Does a friend go to the movies or a concert with you?  Does he/she call you just to say hi?  Does a friend, even if they don’t call you back right away, eventually call you back?

The word “friend” is often used too lightly in describing someone in our lives that should otherwise be ascribed acquaintance or someone who randomly pops in and out of our lives.  Friends are there for a reason or a season, right?  That statement begs the question: are you really my friend?

In my book, a friend is a person that knows me (or is trying to get to know me) without barriers.  She (or he) knows the real me, the girl that’s willing to let down her guard and be vulnerable.  But what makes a person deserving of that?  That person should be honest, genuine, trustworthy and loyal.  Handle yourself with the utmost authenticity.  Be honest about what you are looking for in a friend and if you cannot put effort into a friendship, don’t expect it in return. 

Over the years I have discovered that in order to have a friend, you have to be a friend.  Last year I was blessed to have a very special friend unexpectedly return to my life.  In my early 20s while I was attending community college, as I was soul-searching for the woman I wanted to become (sometimes in the wrong places), I met a girl named Melissa, who had ironically gone to the same high school as I did and inadvertently had many of the same friends.  It was the first day of some kind of science class (I think astronomy) that neither of us cared to be in.  I was the nerd sitting in the front of the lecture hall while she was the ever rebellious girl sitting as far back as she could in order to avoid calling any attention from the instructor.  She recognized me from school and began asking me questions.  Little did we know in that moment that we would eventually become the best of friends.  This girl was just like me – outspoken, witty, somewhat jaded, lost on the path of education and grasping at strings to hold on.  She asked if we could carpool together since we both lived with our parents who still lived near our old school.  Sure, why not, I thought.  Who knew that an hour in the car each day could develop into such an intense friendship?

Over the years we would do everything together. We laughed harder than I’ve ever laughed before.  Sometimes we had no idea why we were even laughing but it was a quality in a friendship that I cherished because it was the laughter that wiped away the sadness I was enduring at that time.  We traveled together, shared our love stories, had family dinners, rode on a glider together (boy was THAT an experience!), went to bars/clubs and restaurants, hung out with my niece and nephew, had booming parties at her first apartment, experienced our first (and only) ho-down in Hollister, and felt the pride at finally receiving our associate’s and bachelor’s degrees together.  Melissa was there with me through an abusive relationship (she helped me to let go and say goodbye).  She was there when the love of my life came to California to visit after years of a developing friendship and she held my hand when I had to say goodbye.  She was by my side when he broke my heart just a few weeks later.  She saw me through depression from all of the above situations.

In return, I was by her side during her difficult relationship and through her personal, emotional battle with childhood demons.  I stood by as she endured the difficult task of trying to get on the local police force.  I was there when her dream was shattered.  We picked each other up when no one else could.

Oddly enough, I was about to introduce Melissa to my dear friend Raul whom I had been telling her about for the last year.  He was the least judgmental and most loving person I had known, wise beyond his years (he was 28).  We were visiting her then-boyfriend at his work when we decided we’d stop by Raul’s house, which I used to do often.  Melissa insisted I call him before going over.  I didn’t understand.  I always just showed up.  So I called…

The phone rang, and rang.  A woman picked up.  I asked for Raul.  She said, “Raul se falleció.”  I didn’t understand.  “Is he OK?” I asked.  “No,” she said.  “He’s dead.”  I couldn’t speak.  I had no idea what to say.  What do you say to a mother who has just told you that her son (your best friend) has died?  His sister got on the phone as I was falling to the ground.  I don’t remember all that was said in the next moments.  Somehow Melissa got me to the hospital where he was being kept alive on life support until his family was ready to make the decision to let him go.  Raul had a brain aneurism which burst in the middle of the night while he was playing music.  He died doing the thing he loved most, an event he had predicted to me a few years earlier.  Melissa was there with me at Raul’s bedside, when I had no idea how to cope.  She watched me as I looked at his lifeless body, swollen face and shaved head.  She was there.  She took me to his memorial service, held my hand and cried with me.  She didn’t even know this person but as an extension of me, she loved him anyway.

Following graduation, we did some more traveling, both to Los Angeles and Puerto Rico.  We played hard in those years but eventually it started to take its toll on both of us.  Neither of us were following our dreams.  Well, we were both trying but somehow it wasn’t in God’s plan for us at the time.  We both began to self-destruct, an event that finally destroyed our friendship.  We were both guilty but neither of us willing to budge.  We stopped talking.  Completely.  We’d see each other in the mall parking lot and pretend like the other didn’t exist.  What an example of our immaturity!

Full Circle

Last summer, as I was happily living my life in Santa Monica, I turned out my laptop and opened Outlook as I so often do.  There it was.  An e-mail notification from LinkedIn that read, “Join my LinkedIn Network.”  It was from Melissa.  I was in shock.  I had no idea how much I missed her until that exact moment.  Without sharing the contents of the message I will tell you that she acknowledged her part in the demise of our friendship and apologized for her behavior.  I was totally blown away.  That’s how you know a person in genuinely sorry for something they have done: they take responsibility!  She did and I was so excited.  She’d obviously grown up as had I.  That was all it took and our friendship was right back on track where we had left it (without all the negativity).  For the record, in case you’re wondering, I apologized to her as well and acknowledge my shitty behavior which led to our abrupt goodbye.

Today is a new day.  I tell Melissa all the time how grateful I am to have her back in my life.  I feel totally blessed to share a friendship with a woman who gets me.  She understands who I am as a person and perpetuates all that I am.  This is the definition of a friend.  One who sees you through the ups and downs of life, who doesn’t hold expectations, can listen without judging, be there to lend a hand or an ear, be honest with their opinion and always express their gratitude.  I am eternally grateful to have my best friend back in my life and I never let an opportunity pass me by to tell her how much I love her and cherish our friendship.

My Sister's Keeper

Today I was lucky enough to share some laughter with my niece, nephew and sister. On the kids' final day of Spring Break week we went to the movies to see "17 Again." Funny as the movie is, I'm not going to critique the film or give you any inside info. What I am going to tell you is all about a movie trailer that unexpectedly struck a nerve in me. The sound of a familiar little girl's voice hit me as she began to tell the story: "Most babies are accidents. Not me. I was engineered. Born to save my sister's life." It was the voice of little Abigail Breslin (who's not so little anymore), the actress who played Olive Hoover, the endearing child at the center of the 2006 Oscar nominated film "Little Miss Sunshine." "My Sister's Keeper" is the story of a young girl who hires a big time lawyer and sues for emancipation from her parents who genetically conceived her in order to save the life of her sister who is dying from cancer. All I can say is I cannot wait for this one to hit the big screen because I'll be there with baited breath. This movie will drum up controversy around the world, from its story line of a child being conceived as a genetic match for the purposes of the survival of another human being, to a child sueing its parents to be allowed the right to keep charge of its own body. Sadly, there is a deep, underlying secret that little Anna is keeping from her family which seems to be tearing them apart. You'll have to watch to find out. Not only does the trailer tug at your heartstrings but the track playing in the background emphasizes the importance of life and miracles with its passionate lyrics and tender melody. "Life Is Beautiful," a song by British rock band Vega 4 (who sounds exactly like one of my favorite bands, Snow Patrol), brought out the emotionality of the film and lifted my spirit. From the director of "The Notebook," this one's gonna be a real tearjerker so bring along a box of tissues if you decide to see it. And if you do, I'll see you there: June 26, 2009. My Sister's Keeper Trailer Life is Beautiful by Vega 4 (from Grey's Anatomy) Life is beautiful We love until we die. When you run into my arms, We steal a perfect moment. Let the monsters see you smile, Let them see you smiling. Do I hold you too tightly? When will the hurt kick in? Life is beautiful, but it's complicated. We barely make it. We don't need to understand, There are miracles, miracles. Yeah, life is beautiful. Our hearts, they beat and break. When you run away from harm, Will you run back into my arms, Like you did when you were young? Will you come back to me? I will hold you tightly When the hurting kicks in. Life is beautiful, but it's complicated, we barely make it. We don't need to understand, There are miracles, miracles. Stand where you are. We let all these moments pass us by. It's amazing where I'm standing, There's a lot that we can give. This is ours just for a moment. There's a lot that we can give.

Singer Turned Soldier: Marcos Hernandez Joins the Marines

Several months ago while I was tooling around on Facebook as I often do, I noticed a status update from a dear friend, Marcos Hernandez, which struck me as odd. The update read: "Marcos Hernandez is hoping his 'friends' will let him know how they think B4 he goes off to basic training for the Marines." What? The Marines? This has got to be a joke. I genuinely believe it is so I continue on and never question him. A month or so later, I get a phone call from him telling me he's giving up his career and heading off to boot camp. This might sound fairly normal to you, especially in light of the quick demise of the economy resulting in people doing all sorts of drastic things in order to have a stable income, but in fact it's totally out of character for him. 


You see, Marcos Hernandez is a 27-year-old singer from Dallas, Texas, who became quite the phenomenon on radio across the country when his debut song "If You Were Mine" hit the charts in 2005. You might know the track from stations like Wild 94.9 in the Bay Area or KISS 106.1 in Dallas, among others. The song, by the way, was co-produced by my friend Eliot Sloan, lead singer for the alternative rock band Blessid Union of Souls. If the name sounds familiar it's because the band's single "I Believe" charted at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1995. But back to Marcos... 


Now, not only was I in shock that he was giving up his musical career but also in a state of dismay that he was making a conscious choice to sign up for the military and volunteer himself to be sent into extreme danger should he be stationed in the Middle East. What is going on here? I'm super angry that someone with such promise is giving up his life as he knows it to follow his belief in protecting our country. Don't get me wrong. It's not to say that I feel that the men and women in the military don't have promise. It is exactly the opposite. They are so young and have so much life to live but so many aren't even making it out or back to their families. In Marcos' case, I am particularly disgusted with the fact that the state of the economy has declined so much in the last year that a talented musician who had every reason to believe his music would continue to climb the charts if given the chance, would lose faith in the system and walk away from it all for the security of a future in the Marines. Even though Marcos has only been at boot camp for a few weeks and is not currently in any immediate danger, I pray everyday that he doesn't get sent overseas. Please dear God, keep him safe during his service in the military and bring him home safely, no matter where he ends up. 


I want to be clear: I support the troops 100%. I believe that what they are doing is honorable and brave and I am proud of my friend for making such a difficult and selfless decision. God bless you Marcos, and those who have chosen the same path as you. 


For more info on Marcos: http://www.marcosonline.com Marcos Hernandez If You Were Mine